Shirley Wild: 400 celebrate Queen Mary’s splashy grand re-opening in Long Beach
Three years of COVID-19 were certainly a hardship for the rest of us, but for the Queen Mary it was like a prolonged Spa Day. She was pampered, she was sanded, she was painted she was polished to perfection.
The Queen emerged positively gleaming. The gorgeously renewed teak throughout the ship showcased the superb craftsmanship of the era. Many beautiful Art Deco displays shone anew. It all added up to a fully revitalized Queen Mary as 400 or so distinguished guests at her grand re-opening bash on Friday, June 9.
Historian John Thomas noted “the ship has not looked better in decades.” One could imagine the luxury of sailing aboard this magnificent vessel. During World War II, she was given a new life transporting thousands of troops after decades as a luxurious floating hotel.
Guests on Friday were greeted by Commodore Everette Hoard, resplendent in his impeccable white uniform. The commodore offered champagne, pomp and seafaring circumstance, hearkening to the heydays of the ship, now the internationally known icon of Long Beach.
Compelling new displays were viewed along with the social gathering areas. There was dancing to the music of a band that currently plays at the Savoy Hotel in London. Delicacies included beef wellington and lamb chops and a variety of tempting hors d’oeuvres.
“The Queen Mary is open for business,” stated Steve Goodling, President and CEO of the Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“We look forward to the 2026 World Cup series,” Goodling added, “and the six events to be held in Los Angeles in 1928. The Queen will be our international icon, an asset bar none.”
The Los Angeles area will be one of 16 hosts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with matches planned at the gleaming new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Goodling added: “(The Queen Mary’s) renewal came about with the partnership between the city and ship personnel, the mayor and entire City Council,” each of whom attended.
Most of the other elected officials and staff were also in attendance Friday, including former Mayor and current Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach, and new Mayor Rex Richardson.
Goodling noted that the city of Long Beach accepted the responsibility of the Queen renewal, after it fell into ill repair and required millions of dollars to refurbish it and guarantee its safety, at the urging of Garcia and Richardson.
Apropos of that sentiment, Goodling was presented with a shirt emblazoned with Winston Churchill’s words, “Never, Never, Never Give up!”
Various portions of the ship have gradually begun to welcome back visitors since the start of the year, after the Queen Mary had undergone a series of critically needed repairs to ensure public safety. The Observation Bar and the Chelsea Chowder House & Bar reopened in May.
Some tours resumed in April, and the Paranormal Ship Walk evening tour set to resume soon, officials say. The Queen Mary Hotel has also reopened for stays. There are currently about about 200 state rooms — out of 347 total — available for bookings through Dec. 31.
Some Queen Mary icons, including the fine-dining restaurant Sir Winston’s, are not set to reopen until early 2024.
At Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, Goodling said: “We are thrilled to have the Queen Mary as a major attraction to the city of Long Beach restored at a truly class one level.”
Seen at the scene: L.A. County Sheriff and former Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna and Celina Luna, Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, City Manager Tom Modica, City Councilmembers Cindy Allen, Al Austin, Kristina Duggan, Megan Kerr, Joni Ricks-Oddie, Suely Saro, Daryl Supernaw, Roberto Uranga and Mary Zendejas; City Auditor Laura Doud, L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, City Attorney Dawn McIntosh, City Prosecutor Doug Haubert and wife, Lisa; Jeff Forney, Larry and Barbara Jackson, Rob and Nikki Claire, Jean Bixby Smith, Barbara Blackwell and Delma Chwilinski-Sheridan.